[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING U.S. ARMY PFC. JACOB S. FLETCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, U.S. Army Pfc. Jacob S. Fletcher died on 
November 13, 2003, from wounds he suffered when the vehicle he was 
riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device. Throughout our 
nation's history we have triumphed over adversity because of the 
bravery of people like Pfc. Fletcher. In recognition of his sacrifice, 
I would like to have his mother's touching account of his life read 
into the Congressional Record:

       My son, Jacob Samuel Fletcher, was born in Mineola, New 
     York on November 25, 1974. He spent his childhood in Babylon, 
     where he grew up with me, his stepfather Ray, stepbrother 
     Scott and stepsister Tara. He graduated from Babylon High 
     School in 1992. He played lacrosse in his younger years and 
     varsity wrestling in his last year of high school. Jacob 
     always drew and sketched, which was his natural talent. He 
     was gifted with words and wrote eloquently. His passion for 
     music eventually led him to play drums. Jacob gave great love 
     to his family and was known as a loyal and caring friend. He 
     would be there for anyone in need to listen to or help in any 
     way he could. He loved children dearly and was moved by 
     animals of all kinds.
       Jacob first tried to join the Army when he was 8 years old 
     by filling out applications in a magazine. He tried twice, 
     but I sent the officers away when they called for Private 
     Fletcher. He was about to be sworn into the Army when he was 
     23, but hurt his knee, keeping him out of the service. At 27 
     he finally joined the Army, with 9/11 being the catalyst to 
     once again fulfill his calling to serve his country. Jacob's 
     training in the Army was completed in Ft. Benning, GA. After 
     his basic training he trained for his paratrooper wings, 
     which he also received at Ft. Benning. He was originally 
     stationed in Vicenza, Italy, where he stayed for 3 months 
     before deploying to Iraq.
       He parachuted into Iraq along with 999 other paratroopers 
     in the dark of night. On March 26, 2003, he and the others 
     seized an airfield in Northern Iraq and then went with the 
     Kurds to Kirkuk, Iraq, where he patrolled and went on many 
     missions. He was given 3 days of rest and relaxation in Qatar 
     on November 9. On November 13, on the way back from Qatar, on 
     Highway 1 in Samarra, a bomb hit the bus he was on. My 
     beloved son, along with Joe Manucci was airlifted to a 
     hospital where doctors tried to save him, but he soon died 
     from his injuries.
       I know that Jacob had a deep feel for the Iraqi children. 
     He was saddened by the condition that the Iraqis were made to 
     live in. It broke his heart to see the injustice. He had a 
     strong sense of fairness and duty to serve his country. He 
     truly understood what freedom is about and the choices we 
     have to make as Americans.
       Jacob is buried at Long Island National Cemetery. The words 
     courage and compassion, which grace his headstone, will tell 
     those who glance his way, that he was a passionate and brave 
     young hero. He takes with him the essence of the Purple 
     Heart, Bronze star, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on 
     Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism 
     Service Medal, National Service Ribbon and Army Service 
     Ribbon.

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